Mild and improving.
Rest, fluids and simple meals may help a short-lived digestive upset. A pharmacist can advise on suitable symptom relief.
Read NHS guidanceHomeTreatmentsStomach discomfort
Stomach discomfort · GP care
Locate the discomfort. Look at the whole pattern.
Abdominal discomfort may come from the stomach, bowel, urinary system, reproductive organs or abdominal wall. A careful history—and often an examination—helps identify the safest next step.
Severe or sudden abdominal pain cannot be assessed safely as a routine remote concern. Pregnancy possibility, bleeding and inability to pass urine or stool change the urgency.
Choose a suitable route
Choose the right starting point.
Mild short-lived symptoms may settle, but persistence, recurrence, pregnancy or red flags require assessment.
Persistent, recurring or unexplained.
Arrange a review if discomfort keeps returning, affects eating or sleep, or comes with bowel, urinary, menstrual or weight changes.
Explore in-person GP careSevere, worsening or with red flags.
Use urgent care for pregnancy, dehydration, bleeding, persistent vomiting or worsening pain; use emergency care for sudden severe or tender abdominal pain.
Contact NHS 111Where pain is felt does not always identify the organ causing it. An in-person abdominal examination may be the safest way to assess ongoing discomfort.
Notice the pattern
What changes the next step.
Location, timing and associated symptoms help narrow a broad list of possibilities.
Upper abdomen
Burning, fullness, pain after meals, nausea or pain moving to the back may suggest different stomach, gallbladder or pancreatic causes.
Lower abdomen
Bowel, bladder, pelvic and reproductive causes can overlap and may require urine, pregnancy or examination-based checks.
Bloating and cramps
Food, constipation, infection and IBS can cause bloating or cramps, but persistent change needs review.
Systemic signs
Fever, weight loss, marked weakness, jaundice, dehydration, bleeding or repeated vomiting increase concern.
If pregnancy is possible, take a test and mention the result. Bleeding with one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or fainting needs urgent assessment.
A focused GP assessment
Use location and context to guide the examination.
A GP can assess the likely system involved and choose proportionate tests or referral.
Explore in-person GP care01
Map the pain.
Discuss exact location, onset, severity, movement, relation to food or bowel movements, duration and what relieves it.
02
Review associated symptoms.
Cover nausea, vomiting, fever, appetite, weight, stool, urine, periods, discharge, pregnancy and medicines.
03
Examine and test as needed.
An abdominal examination, urine or pregnancy test, blood or stool tests, imaging or urgent referral may be appropriate.
A proportionate plan
Treat only after choosing a safe route.
Symptom relief can be useful, but persistent pain needs a plan that addresses the likely cause and includes follow-up.
01
Support recovery
Fluids, rest and gentle food choices may help a short-lived illness. Avoid alcohol and medicines that clearly aggravate symptoms.
02
Target the likely cause
Constipation, reflux, infection and IBS require different strategies. A clinician can advise after assessing the pattern.
03
Investigate red flags
Bleeding, weight loss, persistent vomiting, jaundice, anaemia or a palpable lump may need testing or specialist care.
Do not mask severe or worsening pain with repeated medicine while delaying assessment. Check painkiller suitability with a pharmacist or clinician.
Prepare for a useful review
Describe where, when and what comes with it.
Note the exact location, start time, severity, relation to meals and bowel movements, and any fever, vomiting, bloating, urine or stool changes.
Bring pregnancy-test results if relevant, a medicines list and details of weight change, bleeding, travel, recent antibiotics, surgery and previous abdominal conditions.
Explore GP appointments ↗Good to know
Questions about stomach discomfort.
Practical answers to help you choose a sensible next step without trying to diagnose the concern yourself.
Can stomach pain be assessed by video?
A remote consultation can take a detailed history, but persistent or localised abdominal pain often needs an in-person examination and sometimes tests.
When is abdominal pain an emergency?
Use emergency care for sudden or severe pain, marked tenderness, vomiting blood, black or bloody stool, collapse, severe breathing difficulty, or inability to pee, poo or pass wind.
Could the pain be related to pregnancy?
Yes. If pregnancy is possible, take a test. Bleeding with one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or fainting needs urgent assessment.
Will I need tests?
That depends on the pattern. A clinician may consider urine, pregnancy, blood or stool tests, imaging or referral when they would change care.
Clinical information: NHS stomach acheNHS diarrhoea and vomitingNHS ectopic pregnancy. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.